(Chapter 69 Warden Class II)
"Remember, our mission is to bring that thing back to Fontaine, so we can't afford to damage it beyond repair."
Tempest instructed his knights, his voice calm but firm.
"Use Hatsume's inventions to paralyze it. Target the parts and core, slow it down, don't destroy it."
"I'll keep it distracted. Move quickly, and stay sharp. I want everyone back alive."
Tempest added, his eyes narrowing with focus as he prepared to charge toward the colossal Primal Construct. His knights, without hesitation, readied Hatsume's inventions, an Electro-infused net gun, and a specialized Electro-infused harpoon gun, both designed specifically for situations like this.
'Young Pasha, I will need your guidance once more.'
Tempest inquired mentally.
'I have your back, Tempest. You can count on me. I will watch over you, support you, and guide you on this confrontation. You are not alone. You have my unwavering support.'
Nahida said her voice resolute and determined.
At last, the Warden-Class Primal Construct stirred to life, its imposing frame whirring as it made its first move. A faint glow emanated from its core as it marked the ground beneath Tempest and his knights with a pulsating, blue light. The Construct's repulsor blasters began to charge, humming with deadly energy. Tempest could feel the ground vibrating beneath his feet, and he quickly glanced at his knights, signaling them to spread out.
"Move! Scatter!"
Tempest shouted, knowing full well the destructive force that was about to be unleashed.
The knights swiftly obeyed, scattering in all directions to take cover behind the ancient stone pillars of the pyramid. Tempest sprinted ahead, his instincts kicking in as he dashed to escape the marked zone. Just as he cleared the area, a barrage of laser beams rained down, scorching the ground where they had once stood. The blasts left smoldering craters in their wake, shaking the very foundation of the pyramid.
"Stay sharp!"
Tempest shouted his voice cutting through the chaos. The Warden-Class Construct, towering and menacing, shifted its gaze toward him. Its sensors locked onto Tempest, recognizing him as the leader of the intruders.
'Tempest! Don't stop running!'
Nahida's urgent voice echoed in his mind, snapping him into action. Without hesitation, Tempest obeyed, sprinting across the ground as fast as possible. The Warden-Class Construct whirred ominously, combining its repulsor and reshaper to form a deadly, tracking laser that locked onto Tempest. He could feel the heat of the beam closing in, cutting through the air just behind him as it chased his every move.
The knights, seizing the perfect moment, aimed their Electro-Infused harpoon guns and fired in unison. The harpoons whizzed through the air, trailing sparks of electric energy as they struck the Warden-Class Construct's tracking laser system. The impact sent a cascade of crackling electricity through the machine's components, temporarily disrupting its functions.
But the reprieve was short-lived. The Warden-Class Construct shook itself violently, its mechanical limbs thrashing as it overpowered the harpoon restraints. The sudden force yanked the ropes of the harpoon guns taut, sending several knights flying into the air. They cried out as they were flung across the chamber, their armor clattering loudly as they hit the stone floor. The Construct's movements were erratic but powerful, the ropes snapping under the strain as it freed itself from the paralysis.
"Get up!"
Tempest shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. As the Warden-Class finally cloaked itself in invisibility, it left behind a dangerous aftermath: two deadly spinning blades from its repulsor and two floating prospector parts that drifted menacingly through the air. The spinning blades whirred with a menacing hum, their deadly trajectory unpredictable, while the prospector parts hovered ominously, adding to the looming threat. The knights scrambled to their feet, their eyes scanning desperately for any sign of the now-invisible enemy. Tempest gritted his teeth, knowing that the real challenge was about to begin.
The repulsor blades pursued Tempest and his knights with relentless precision, while the prospector cannons fired deadly laser beams that streaked through the air. As the group scrambled to evade the onslaught, one unfortunate knight was struck by a laser beam. The impact sent him flying backward with brutal force, his body crashing against the pyramid's walls before collapsing lifelessly to the ground. The chaos of battle intensified as the remaining knights fought to stay alive, their focus divided between evading the spinning blades and seeking cover from the relentless laser fire.
Tempest's Pyro Delusion ignited with a fierce blaze, enveloping his arms in vibrant Pyro gauntlets. As the repulsor blade pursued him, he braced himself and leaped into action. With a burst of strength, he seized the spinning blade, halting its trajectory. Tempest lifted it with a heave, then hurled it forcefully to the side, away from his knights. Meanwhile, the remaining knights, who had managed to avoid being flung by the Warden-Class's violent shake, took advantage of the opening. They swiftly aimed their harpoon guns and fired with precision, targeting the prospector parts in a coordinated effort to disable the formidable construct.
'Tempest! Now! Signal your knights to fire!'
Nahida's voice took on an urgent, commanding tone. The Warden-Class had momentarily halted its relentless assault, retracting its scattered parts and summoning a swarm of smaller machines, resembling drones, to begin repairs.
"Now! Open fire!"
Tempest, seizing the critical moment, quickly shouted to his knights, urging them to unleash their firepower. The knights, having witnessed the Warden-Class's brief pause, immediately sprang into action. They aimed their harpoon guns at the vulnerable parts of the construct, determined to capitalize on the temporary lapse in its defenses.
A barrage of harpoon hooks struck the exposed parts being repaired, each one electrified with a powerful surge of Electro energy. The ropes, now charged with electricity, ensnared the parts and effectively disabled their repair efforts. As a result, the Warden-Class revealed itself once more, immobilized and paralyzed by the coordinated assault. The once menacing construct now lay vulnerable.
"Now! Go go go!"
Tempest shouted, urgency in his voice. Without hesitation, his knights sprang into action. They quickly swapped their harpoon guns for Electro-Infused net guns, charging towards the immobilized Warden-Class. The knights worked in unison, casting their nets with precision, aiming to ensnare the colossal construct and secure it for transport. The tension in the air was palpable as they moved swiftly to contain their formidable quarry, determined to complete their mission.
'Tempest, something's not right. I have a bad feeling. I sense danger. Please, command your knights to retreat immediately!'
Nahida's voice was filled with alarmed concern, and Tempest's eyes widened in realization. Despite the Warden-Class being ensnared, it continued to thrash violently. Suddenly, it began to gather all its scattered parts, drawing in energy with a low, ominous hum. The construct was preparing to unleash a devastating shockwave.
"Fall back, now!"
Tempest commanded, his voice sharp and urgent. His knights immediately turned to him, eyes wide with alarm, as he gestured for them to retreat, pointing towards the farthest cover they could find. Without hesitation, they scrambled to get as far from the thrashing construct as possible, knowing that whatever was coming would be catastrophic.
*Boom!*
The Warden-Class unleashed a devastating shockwave, sending a tremor through the air. Three of Tempest's knights, caught in the blast, were thrown back violently, their bodies lifeless before they could even reach cover. The shockwave sent dust and debris flying, and for a moment, the battlefield was a storm of chaos. As the smoke cleared, the Warden-Class stood tall and menacing, completely unfazed by the earlier assault. It had returned to full strength, and now they were back to phase one, the cycle beginning anew. Tempest clenched his fists, his mind racing for a new strategy.
"You gotta be shitting with me..."
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An exhausting hour had passed, and Tempest's situation had grown dire. Out of the fourteen knights who had been locked inside the pyramid with him, only seven remained. Tempest now faced the relentless Warden-Class construct alone, with only Nahida's voice guiding his every move in his mind. His remaining knights rested at the edges of the battlefield, their faces etched with fatigue and despair. Half were wounded, and their equipment was battered, completely depleted of its functionality. Even their harpoon guns and nets were useless now.
'Tempest, you must rethink your strategy. You cannot afford to hold back any longer. The lives of your remaining knights hang in the balance. Their safety must be your top priority now. Forget about trying to paralyze that thing, focus on annihilating it altogether. You need to end this.'
Nahida's voice echoed urgently in his mind.
Tempest gritted his teeth as he dodged another barrage of attacks from the relentless Warden-Class. The construct's powerful strikes sent shockwaves through the ground, and with each narrowly evaded blow, he knew Nahida was right. His plan to capture and take the machine back to Fontaine had to be abandoned. His knights, injured and depleted, couldn't endure much more, and the construct showed no signs of slowing down.
'Tempest, remember this. You are fighting a machine, a relentless construct that does not feel fatigue, hunger, or pain like mortal beings. But you... You are only human. Exhaustion is creeping in, and it's only a matter of time before your body gives out. How long do you think you can sustain this fight, especially against an opponent that never tires?'
Nahida's words hit Tempest like a cold wave of truth. His breath was coming in sharp, ragged bursts, his chest rising and falling heavily with each labored inhale. Sweat dripped down his forehead, stinging his eyes, as the weight of his Pyro gauntlets began to feel heavier with every passing second. His once precise, fluid movements had slowed, just enough to dodge the relentless onslaught of the Warden-Class's attacks.
"Fine..."
Tempest muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration and exhaustion. He had finally reached his breaking point. His eyes, which had been hardened with resolve, began to glow with a golden hue, a sign that he was about to use Ra's power. He had tried restraint and followed the plan, but enough was enough. His mission was no longer about capturing the Warden-Class, it was about survival.
Tempest's mind raced, but one thought stood clear.
'Rip and tear this thing apart.'
Tempest unsheathed his sword with a swift motion. As he drew it, the blade was immediately engulfed in a fierce, golden flame that danced and flickered with raw power.
*Boom!*
Just as Tempest was about to charge at the Warden-Class with the intent to annihilate it, the entrance of the pyramid exploded outward. Through the dust and debris rolled one of Hatsume's Siege Engines, its massive wheels grinding over the rubble.
"Cavalry is here, chief!"
Hatsume's voice rang out from within the Siege Engine, her excitement palpable even through the chaos.
stones?
(Chapter 70 Mission Complete)
"Hatsume...?"
Tempest muttered, as he turned toward the Siege Engine. There, poking out of the hatch, was Hatsume, her eccentric grin wide and unapologetic. Her iconic goggles sat firmly over her eyes, reflecting the flickering light from the battlefield, while her wild hair danced in the wind.
"Surprise!"
Hatsume called out, her voice filled with excitement.
"Saw your distress signal, chief! Couldn't let you have all the fun, now could I!?"
Hatsume shouted with a mischievous grin, her voice brimming with excitement.
As she spoke, the massive barrel of the Siege Engine rotated toward the Warden-Class, revealing an enormous, harpoon loaded and ready. The engine hummed with power, gears turning, and the weapon primed for action.
"Let's see how this baby fares against that oversized scrap heap!"
Hatsume added with a chuckle, clearly thrilled at the prospect of testing her latest invention in battle.
The Warden-Class immediately shifted its attention to the new threat, its mechanical eyes locking onto Hatsume's Siege Engine. It ceased its attacks on Tempest and began charging its prospector beams, aiming to obliterate the approaching machine, but Hatsume was quicker.
"Not today!"
Hatsume shouted, firing the harpoon before the Warden could release its deadly beams. The harpoon shot through the air with a loud thunk, piercing the Warden-Class on its side. The towering construct staggered under the impact, briefly thrown off balance.
However, it was clear that Hatsume had deliberately missed its core. She grinned wildly, her eyes gleaming from behind her goggles.
"Not yet, big guy."
Hatsume muttered under her breath, her grin widening as she prepared for the next move.
Hatsume climbed out of the hatch, grabbing the thick rope of the harpoon that connected her Siege Engine to the Warden-Class. Sparks of energy flickered around her as her Electro Vision flared to life, sending a jolt of Electro energy coursing through the rope.
She gritted her teeth, holding the rope tightly as bolts of Electro traveled down its length, surging toward the Warden-Class. The construct shuddered violently as the energy reached it, arcs of purple lightning crackling across its metal frame.
"Hahahaha!"
Hatsume's laughter echoed through the pyramid, her voice filled with both excitement and mischief as she watched the Warden-Class struggle. The construct, usually so precise in its actions, was now twitching and sputtering under the relentless surge of Electro she poured into it.
It attempted to activate its invisibility once more, its shimmering form flickering on and off, but the constant interference from Hatsume's Electro made it falter.
'She's really eccentric, isn't she?'
Nahida's voice echoed gently in Tempest's mind as she observed Hatsume through his eyes.
'She is, that's what makes her unique.'
Tempest replied, sheathing his sword. As he spoke, more reinforcements arrived, their Electro-Infused harpoon guns at the ready. They quickly joined Hatsume in the fray, unleashing a barrage of harpoons aimed at the Warden-Class. The combined assault further immobilized the massive construct, its movements becoming increasingly sluggish as it struggled against the coordinated onslaught.
"Brother!"
Penance shouted as she rushed to Tempest's side.
"Good work, Penance. Can you please go and find any available knights to help get the wounded out of here?"
Tempest requested, his voice steady despite the ongoing battle.
"We need to ensure everyone is safely evacuated while we deal with this construct."
"Mm! Got it!"
Penance nodded with determination before swiftly turning on her heels and dashing back to where she had come from.
"Just stay down already!"
Hatsume shouted in frustration. Tempest turned to see that the Warden-Class was still not going down; it continued to struggle and slowly attempted to rise again despite the ongoing barrage of attacks.
The Warden-Class managed to lift one of its prospector beams and fired a single, powerful beam that struck the ceiling, causing debris to rain down. Despite this brief show of power, it continued to struggle, its systems clearly strained and faltering.
'Tempest, I have an idea in mind that could potentially neutralize that threat before it causes any further destruction. However, I must first obtain your permission to proceed. Will you allow me to share my plan with you, and give me your consent to execute it?'
Nahida's voice takes on a more solemn and serious tone as she speaks.
'Do tell, Young Pasha.'
Tempest replied.
'Tempest, allow me to take control of your body and fuse my power with yours. You need the element of Dendro to aggravate the Electro. I'm offering you my full support. However, I must ask for your permission and make sure you're alright with this arrangement.'
Nahida's tone becomes assertive and resolute, yet tinged with a touch of caution.
'Very well, I consent.'
Tempest replied, Tempest replied, his tone resolute, agreeing with Nahida.
'Very well, Tempest. Close one eye, and prepare yourself. You might experience a momentary headache. I apologize in advance for any discomfort you may feel during the process.'
Nahida's voice becomes soft and reassuring as she offers a forewarning.
Tempest nodded in response, closing his left eye. Moments later, a sharp migraine erupted in his mind, causing him to grit his teeth and place a hand on his head. The pain was intense but fleeting and soon subsided. His right eye then shifted from its usual gold to a deep green with a small cross as its pupil, marking the change.
With Nahida now in control of Tempest's body, she surveyed the surroundings. Hatsume and the knights were engaged in a tense tug-of-war with the Warden, each side struggling to see who would give in first. The scene was chaotic, with the Warden-Class thrashing and attempting to break free, while Hatsume and the knights pulled with all their might, their faces set in determined grimaces.
"Although I am imprisoned and my powers are limited, I am not entirely helpless. I still have the ability to summon some allies who can assist us in this time of need."
Nahida spoke through Tempest's voice. As she extended Tempest's hand, Dendro Crystalflys began to materialize, hovering gracefully above it. With a gentle motion, she cupped Tempest's hands together, and soon, an arrow of pure Dendro energy formed, radiating with a vibrant green hue.
"I'm placing my faith in you, Tempest. I'll leave it to you to handle this situation."
Nahida said, her tone both reassuring and confident. She gently closed Tempest's right eye and opened his left, allowing him to regain control of his body. With a deep breath, Tempest felt the familiar sensation of his own consciousness returning, ready to take charge of the situation once more.
'Thank you, Young Pasha... That was an unsettling experience. For a moment, everything was just darkness. I couldn't hear, feel, or see anything.'
Tempest thought, still holding the Dendro arrow in his hand.
'The destination of the consciousness is something we should not question, Tempest.'
Nahida's tone turns philosophical, her voice filled with an air of mystery.
'I suppose you're right. Let's get this over with it.'
Tempest replied. He quickly moved to the side, retrieving a harpoon gun that had been dropped during the initial confrontation. With swift, practiced movements, he loaded the Dendro arrow into the gun.
"Hatsume! Pour in everything you've got!"
Tempest shouted, his voice filled with urgency and determination.
"Does it look like I'm not giving it my all?! Aye aye, chief!"
Hatsume shouted back, her Electro Vision blazing brightly. She gripped the rope hooked to the Warden-Class tightly, pouring every ounce of her energy into it. Another surge of electricity surged through the rope, intensifying the strain on the massive construct.
Tempest aimed the harpoon gun and shortly...
*Bang!*
The Dendro arrow struck the Warden-Class on its side. As the effects of Dendro and Electro began to merge, a vibrant display of sparkling currents flickered across the construct's surface. The combined forces of Dendro and Electro finally overwhelmed the Warden-Class, causing it to convulse and shudder before coming to a complete halt. The once formidable machine had finally succumbed, now thoroughly paralyzed and subdued.
"Fuck... Finally..."
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Tempest stood in silence, watching as his knights solemnly carried the bodies of their fallen comrades. Each fallen knight was handled with care and respect, their lifeless forms gently loaded into a carriage. The atmosphere was heavy with grief, yet tinged with honor, as they prepared to bring their brothers-in-arms back home to Fontaine.
"I apologize we couldn't make it in time, Your Grace."
Rohan said, standing beside Tempest as they both watched the somber scene unfold.
"They fought bravely, Rohan. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, this expedition better be worth it in the long run."
Tempest finally replied, his voice calm yet filled with a quiet resolve.
The two then turned toward the entrance of the Dune of Elusion, where Hatsume's Siege Engine was rumbling forward, slowly dragging the massive Warden-Class behind it. The construct was entangled in a web of Electro-infused nets, crackling faintly as they held the once formidable machine in a paralyzed state. Sparks flickered intermittently as the nets ensured that the Warden-Class remained immobilized, its heavy frame scraping against the desert floor as it was pulled along.
"Set up camp here for the night. Send riders to the Tanit camps and have them regroup at this location. We'll need everyone ready to move at dawn. Tomorrow, we head for Caravan Ribat."
stones?
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